MORE than 1,500 people braved bone-chillingly cold water to skinny dip at dawn at the 2021 Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim in Tasmania.

       The air temperature at Long Beach in Hobart was just 3C while the water temperature was about 13C — but this did not deter the hordes of brave swimmers from stripping off.

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       Swimmers pose after their bracing swim Credit: PA 9

       The swimmers charging in early this morning Credit: @Dark_Mofo/Twitter 9

       Some 1,500 people braved the 3C air temperature to strip off at 7.42am this morning Credit: EPA

       This year, because of Covid gathering restrictions, the number was capped at 1,500.

       That number was reached within half an hour of registrations opening.

       A waiting list was drawn up in case of cancellations.

       But this year, because of coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the number was capped at 1,500.

       Brady, 31, from Brisbane, said: "When you get in, you just run in screaming. You can’t really feel it until it’s too late.

       "The skin starts to sting. (And) it does shrink."

       Speaking to ABC News, Portia Predny, from Sydney, added: ‘I was pretty keen from the start, as soon as I knew it was a thing.

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       Tickets for the free swim, which signals the end of arts and food festival Dark Mofo and is considered an act of purification Credit: EPA 9

       This year, because of coronavirus gathering restrictions, the number was capped at 1,500 Credit: EPA 9

       They braved ‘cold’ temperatures of 13C to mark the end of the longest night of the year Credit: EPA 9

       The event requires them to strip off... but they can keep their swimming caps on Credit: EPA

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       Swimmers queue to participate in the skinny dip Credit: PA 9

       The event took palce at Sandy Bay beach in Hobart Credit: EPA

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